Dispensing and venting assembly for a dishwasher



Feb. 8, 1966 M. E. ULLMAN, JR., ETAL 3,233,782

DISPENSING AND VENTING ASSEMBLY FOR A DISHWASHER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 11, 1963 FIG. I

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DISPENSING AND VENTING ASSEMBLY FOR A DISHWASHER Filed D80. 11, 1963 Feb. 8, 1966 M. E. ULLMAN, JR. ETAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

JERRY M. HARROFF MYRON E. ULLMAN,JR. 8|

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effected thereby.

United States Patent Ofilice 3,233,782 7 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 The present invention relates to dishwashing machines and, more particularly, to a detergent dispensing and moisture venting assembly.

In the never ending effort to become more competitive by reducing the costs of production and thus ultimately the selling price of the article produced, manufacturers and others are constantly undertaking studies which review and analyze the methods of manufacture employed as well as the design of the article produced with a view toward modifying either or both if an economy can be In the highly competitive field of manufacturing dishwashing machines, this never ending eifort to reduce the ultimate selling price is also coupled with an equally great elfort to provide a machine which will also perform better and longer than other dishwashing machines.

The present invention, which is the result of efforts in the above referred to directions, has as one of. its principal objects the provision of an automatic detergent dispensing and moisture venting assembly which is economical to manufacture and assemble. I

In addition to the economic merits just referred to, it is a further object of this invention to provide an assembly which is made up of units, each of which is structurally new and novel and which individually and/ or jointly enhance the operation of a dishwasher in which the briefly rinsed prior to their insertion in the rack of the dishwashing machine. However, there are occasions where the nature of the food served is such that the dishes and flatware used are coated, in some cases partially and in other cases completely, with a greasy residue or other substance which clings to the surfaces of the soiled articles .tosuch an extent that the introduction of a single charge of detergent in the dish chamber of the machine does not provide cleansing power sufiicient to achieve a satisfactory cleaning thereof. This is especially so where dishes soiled in this manner have not been scraped or rinsed prior to introduction into the dishwashing machine. In such cases, an often followed procedure is to runthe'dishes through two complete cycles before removing them from the dish- .washing machine. Such a procedure, although oftentimes necessary heretofore, is nevertheless undesirable and uneconomical from the standpoints of extra time consumed, and the additional electricity and water used.

In view of the foregoing, it is a further principal object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing objections and disadvantages by providing an automatic detergent dispensing apparatus which will enable even the most heavily soiled dishes and flatware to be cleaned within a single complete cycle of operation of the dishwashing machine in which it is used.

Since the problem stated above with respect to heavily soiled dishes and flatware has been recognized for a long period of time, various arrangements for introducing extra quantities of detergent into the machine have been proposed from time to time in an effort to provide a prac- .ing and closing one of the recesses.

tical and economical solution. However, none of these various arrangements have been completely satisfactory from the standpoints of practicality and economy. Accordingly, a further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic detergent dispenser which is completely acceptable and satisfactory from the standpoints noted.

In dishwashing machines of the type contemplated by this invention, the venting of the dish chamber is necessary in order to achieve a safe and effective operation. Thus, for example, a safe venting arrangement will dissipate pressure surges, prevent an excessive pressure buildup and avoid a possibly dangerous and certainly undesirable billowing of steam in the operators face in the event the door is opened while the machine is in operation. Furthermore, an eifective venting arrangement will permit the air and water temperature in the dish chamber to remain a desirable level and will also enable the dry ing cycle to be accomplished more quickly and effectively.

In view of the foregoing, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an assembly which also includes a venting unit therein for safely and effectively venting the interior of the dish chamber to atmosphere.

The foregoing objects, along with others, are attain-ed by providing a unitary soap dispensing and ventilating assembly for use in the pivoted accessed door of a dishwasher, or the like, which assembly is provided with a pair of soap dispensing recess chambers in one side having a releasably restrained lid thereon for selectively open- In addition, a venting passageway is provided through the same side as the recessed chambers for communicating the washing chamber of the dishwasher with the atmosphere.

With the above and other o bg'ects in view that will hereinafter become apparent to those skilled in the art, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 1 a

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view in elevation illustrating a typical dishwasher or the like, with portions broken away to show the location and general arrangement of the dispensing and ventilating assembly of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmenta-ryview of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

dishwas-hing machine.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable and useful in a dishwasher or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized as a dispensing and venting means for other devices as desired.

Therefore, this invention isnot to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses for this invention.

Further, while one means is hereinafter provided for automatically controlling the actuation of the dispensing portion of the assembly from its detergent retaining position to its detergent discharging position, it is to be understood that other automatic control means can be provided 3 for such a purpose and, as such, will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional dishwasher or the like is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1th and comprises a cabinet 12 having a chamber 14 formed therein for receiving dishes in suitable racks or the like disposed in the chamber 14, the chamber 14 being selectively opened and closed by a door 16 pivotally mounted at its lower edge to dishwasher 10.

The dishwasher It includes various electrical elements which cooperate to carry out the washing, rinsing and drying operations. Controlling these various electrical elements in timed sequence so as to carry out the aforementioned operations, is a suitable, preferably door mounted, timer, well known in the art, provided with the usual contacts connected to the various electrical elements and the usual cams for operating electrical elements in the proper sequence, such cams being driven by a timer motor (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, the dispensing and ventilating assembly generally indicated by the numeral 26 has a rectangular mounting base 22 in which a pair of substantially structurally identical recesses are formed defining two cup-like soap dispensing chambers 24, 26. For reasons which will be presently described, chambers 24 and 26 are each provided with relatively fiat bottom wall portions 23 and 30 respectively, and an inclined side wall represented by the numeral 32 in chamber 2 and by the numeral 34 in chamber 26, which slopes upwardly, when the door is in its opened horizontal position, from the bottom wall of the chambers to the surface 36 of base 22. Integrally formed with base surface as and projecting upwardly therettrom are a pair of hinge brackets 38 preferably located intermediate and on opposite sides of chambers 24 and 26, and slotted to receive hinge pin 40 for pivotally mounting a lid 42 for movement between the opened and closed positions (see FIG. 5) with respect to chamber 24.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, lid 42 is provided with an inwardly projecting flange on all sides which, when in its closed position, fits over an upwardly projecting rim 44 formed around the edges of chamber 24 thereby completely closing the chamber. Since it is desirable, for purposes which will presently be described, that lid 42, be biased to the normally opened position shown by the broken lines in FIG. 5, an appropriate coil spring 46 is mounted on hinge pin :0 for this purpose.

In order to releasably secure the spring biased lid 42 in its closed position, a latch 4-3 is provided which is supported in base 22 by means of a rubber-like gasket 56) for the pivotal movement shown by the solid and broken lines in FIG. 5 of the latch toward and away from lid 4-2. As shown in both FIGS. 5 and 6, latch 48 is provided with a hook like shoulder 52 for engaging the upper edgeof lid 42 when the latch is in its forward position.

When lid 42 is secured in its closed position by latch 48, detergent or soap dispensing chamber 24 is completely enclosed on all sides and is thus capable of retaining a charge of detergent material therein even when door 16 is raised to the vertical closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Since chamber 26 is not provided with a lid, it is, of course, constantly open so that when door 16 is in its closed position, the interior of chamber 26 is exposed to the interior of the dish chamber 14.

At this point it should be further noted that chambers 24 and 26, which are substantially identical, are each capable of holding a charge, that is a quantity of detergent sufficient to wash a load of dishes in chamber 14. Thus, in those instances where a double wash is deemed desirable, that is where the dishes are in such a soiled condition that the cleansing power of two separate washes will be required in order to clean them, then both dispensing chambers 24 and 26 will each be loaded With a charge of detergent. However, in the event the soiled dishes are in such a condition that only a single wash will be necessary to satisfactorily clean them, then only dispensing chamber 24, that is, the chamber which is enclosed by lid 42, is loaded with a charge of detergent. In those cases where only a single wash is desired, chamber 26 remains empty.

in order to load one or both chambers 24 and 26 with' a charge of detergent, door 16 is simply pulled to its fully opened horizontal position and the detergent is placed into one or both of the upwardly facing chambers after which lid 42 is then pressed down over chamber 24 and locked in place by means of latch 48. After the load of dishes to be washed have been moved into chamber 14, door 16 may then be raised to its vertical closed position after which the dishwasher can be set into operation by rotating control knob 54 to either the Double Wash or Single Wash position.

In the event the condition of the dishes is such that a double wash is desired, and both dispensing chambers 241 and 2!: have been provided with appropriate quantities oi? detergent, the closing of door 16 will cause the detergent in uncovered dispensing chamber 26 to slide down inclined side wall .34 and into dish chamber 14 for the first of the two washes. When the first wash is completed, timer then serves to actuate appropriate electromechanical apparatus, presently described, for automatically releasing the detergent in closed chamber 24 into the dish chamber 14 for the second was In the event a single Wash is desired, then only dispensing chamber 24 is loaded with an appropriate charge of detergent after which the chamber 24 is closed by pressing lid 42 into locked engagement with latch 4%. Once door 16 is closed and control knob 54 is rotated to its Single Wash position, timer 1% again will actuate the appropriate electromechanical apparatus for automatically releasing the detergent enclosed in chamber 24 into dish chamber 14.

At this point it might be noted that chamber 24, when its lid 42 is opened, and chamber 26 are, by reason of. their exposed location and structural arrangement, thor-' oughly cleansed of all detergent by the splashing action of the water within the dish chamber during the operation of the machine. Thus when the dishwasher has completed its cycle of operation both dispensing chambers 24 and 26 are clean and ready for further use.

In operation the control apparatus may include the previously referred to conventional timer 18, having the usual timer motor, cams and contacts for operating the electrical elements in timed sequence to carry out the Washing, rinsing and drying operations.

In order to automatically release lid 42 from its latched closed position over chamber 24 for the purpose of introducing the detergent contained therein into dish chamber 14 at a predetermined time, the above referred to conventional timer 18 may be modified in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 so as to actuate appropriate electromechanical lid releasing means the specific arrangement and operation of which will now be described.

As previously indicated latch 48 is mounted in base 22 for pivotal movement between the forward lid engaging position shown in solid lines, in FIG. 5, and the backward lid releasing position shown by the broken lines in the same drawing. An electromechanical apparatus which may be used to automatically move latch 48 from its lid engaging position to its lid releasing position is shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, and essentially consists of an actuating arm 56 which is connected at one end to latch 48 through an aperture 58 provided adjacent the lower end of the latch, and at its other end to an armature 59 which is biased outwardly by a spring 60 from coil 62 of a solenoid 64. So long as coil 62 of solenoid 64 is in its deenergized condition latch 43 will be held in its forward lid engaging position as a result of the pulling force exerted (an arm 56 by spring 60. However when coil 62 of solenoid 64 is energized, in a manner presently described, then armature 59 is drawn into coil 62 which movement in turn pushes arm 56 toward chambers 24, 26 thereby causing latch 48 to pivot about a pivot point provided by gasket to itslid releasing position shown by the broken lines in FIG. 5. With the latched engagement between latch 48 and lid 42 thus removed, lid 42 then moves to its normally spring biased open position thereby enabling the detergent contained in dispensing chamber 24 to empty into dish chamber 14.

With particular reference now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated on the right hand side of the drawing a modification which may be made in conventional timer 18 so as to enable the timer to energize solenoid 64 and thereby dispense detergent from chamber 24 in the manner previously described.

This relatively simple modification consists of providing an additional cam 66 on timer cam shaft 68, shown schematically as a broken line, which cam 66 is provided with a lobe 70 for closing a pair of contacts 72, 74 thereby connecting a source of power 76 through conductors 78 and 80 to coil 62 of solenoid 64 for energizing the same.

In addition to the detergent dispensing chambers just described, assembly 20 of the present invention also includes a venting structure for dissipating excess air and steam from the dish chamber to atmosphere. The venting structure for achieving this purpose consists of a relatively deep elongated venting chamber 84 provided in base 22 and a flat funnel shaped conduit 86 which is connected at one end to chamber 84 and exhausts through its opposite end to atmosphere.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, venting chamber '84 which is formed through an elongated rectangular opening 88 in surface 36 of base 22, is defined by opposite side walls 90, and sloping upper and lower walls 92 and 94 respectively, which converge toward and terminate in a narrow elongated back wall 96. For a purpose presently described, upper wall 92 is provided with an elongated rectangular opening 98 which is defined by an inwardly projecting rim 100.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, conduit 86, which as previously indicated has the general form of a fiat funnel, is provided at one end with a forwardly projecting relatively narrow 'exhaust opening 102 and at its opposite end with a series of inlet openings 194 each of which is separated by a rib 105 and defined by side walls 106 and outwardly projecting flanges 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rectangular opening 98 in upper wall 92 and the side walls 106 and flanges 108 at the inlet end of conduit 86 are dimensionally and structurally such that the inlet end of conduit 86 may be inserted into and seated within opening 98 in upper wall 92 of chamber 84.

Since conduit 86 may be formed of a relatively flexible material, as will presently be described, the flat and rather wide front and rear walls 107 and 109 respectively of conduit 86 are supported in spaced apart relation by means of ribs 105 and the adjacent portions of walls 106 and flanges 108 in such a manner that when the inlet end of conduit 86 is inserted into opening 98 in upper wall 92 of chamber 84, the adjacent portions of side walls 106 will press against rim 100 thereby providing a firm seating and support for conduit 86.

With conduit 86 connected to venting chamber 84 in the manner shown and described, a continuous and a somewhat tortuous path is provided between dish chamber 14 and atmosphere as illustrated by the directional arrows in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, the structural arrangement of assembly 20 is such that it may be mounted within the confined space afforded between the inner and outer walls of door 16.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention assembly 20 is preferably made of a heat and rust resistant mate- 6 rial which, for purposes of economy, is capable of being molded into a desired form. Thus, for example, the flat l unnel shaped conduit 86 may be blow molded of polyethylene while the remaining portion of assembly 20 may be formed of polypropylene by means oi the well known injection molding process.

Since both of the above mentioned plastic materials are poor conductors of heat and further in view of the somewhat tortuous nature of the venting path through chamber 84 and conduit 86, most of the droplets suspended in the air which moves fI'OIil dish chamber 14 toward exhaust opening 102 are directed against the relatively cool walls surrounding the venting path for condensation and drainage back into the dish chamber.

Since the primary purpose of the venting structure in assembly 20 is to prevent an excess pressure buildup in and dissipate pressure surges from dish chamber 14, it is important that exhaust opening 102 in conduit 86 be of a size which will enable these purposes to be accomplished. However it is also to be realized that undesirable consequences tfollow if exhaust opening 102 is either too large or too small. Thus, for example, if opening 102 is too large the desirable water and air temperatures in the dish chamber will not be maintained. On the other hand, if opening 102 is too small, a pressure build-up in chamber 14 will occur which may force steam through the sides of the door, and also will adverse-1y affect the drying time of the dishes in chamber 14.

In order to avoid the above mentioned undesirable consequences which follow when exhaust opening 102 is either too small or too large, the following illustrative example is given so as to enable one skilled in the art to successfully practice this invention and realize the many benefits and advantages which may be derived therefrom.

This illustrative example contemplates a machine generally similar in construction to the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1 and designated by the numeral 10 wherein there is provided a dish chamber 14 having an internal volume of approximately six cubic feet through which water having a temperature of 150 degrees Fare-nheit moves at the rate of three-quarters of a gallon per second. In a machine and under such conditions as the foregoing, it has been determined that an exhaust opening 102 having a cross-sectional area of five square inches will satisfactorily dissipate pressure surges and prevent the buildup of undesirable pressures within the dish chamber 14.

In order to facilitate the mounting of assembly 20 on door 16, a series of integrally formed outwardly projecting mounting studs 110 are provided adjacent the peripheral edge of base 22 on the opposite side of surface 36. By providing a substantially rectangular opening 112 through the inner wall 114 of door 16 and a series of appropriately spaced holes around the edge which defines opening 112, assembly 20 may be inserted therethrough and then secured therein by tightening self-threading nuts 116 on studs 1I10.

For purposes of appearance and convenience, assembly 20 is preferably located adjacent one of the upper corners of door 16 so that exhaust opening 102 of conduit 86 may be safely concealed under door handle which is positioned along the upper edge of the door.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. A unitary soap dispensing and ventilating assembly for use in the pivoted access door of a dishwasher or the like having an inner washing chamber comprising: a base having first and second sides and first and second soap dispensing recesses formed in said first side, lid means mounted on said first side for selectively opening and closing one of said recesses, and means mounted in said base for releasably restraining said lid means in said closed position, said base having passageway means opening through said first side and closely spaced to said recesses and extending through and beyond said second side for communicating said Washing chamber with the atmosphere.

2. A unitary detergent dispensing and ventilating assembly for use in the pivoted access door of a dishwasher or the like having an inner washing chamber com-prising: a base having first and second sides and first and second soap dispensing recesses formed in said first side, lid means mounted on said first side for selectively opening and closing one of said recesses, and means mounted in said base for releasably restraining said lid means in said closed position, said base having passageway means opening through said first side and closely spaced to said recess and extending through and beyond said second side for communicating said washing chamber with the atmosphere.

3. A unitary detergent dispensing and ventilating assembly for use in the pivoted access door of a dishwasher of the like having an inner washing chamber comprising: a base having first and second sides and first and second spaced recesses formed in said first side defining cup like soap dispensing chambers, a lid mounted on said first side adjacent said first recess for selectively opening and closing said first recess, a catch pivotally mounted in said base and having a lid engaging shoulder formed thereon for releasably restraining said lid in said closed position, and passageway means formed through said first side of said base and projecting through and beyond the second side of said base for communicating said washing chamber with the atmosphere When the pivoted access door is in a closed position.

4. A unitary detergent dispensing and ventilating assembly for use in the pivoted access door of a dishwasher or the like having an inner washing chamber comprising: a base having first and second sides and first and second recesses formed in said first side defining cup like soap dispensing chambers, a lid mounted on said first side rfor selective movement between opened and closed positions relative to one of said recesses, and restraining means mounted in said base for releasably securing said lid in said closed position, said base having an open ended passageway formed through said first side of said base and projecting through and beyond the second side thereof for communicating said washing chamber with the atmosphere.

5. In a domestic appliance having a cabinet defining a washing compartment with an access opening thereto and a door hinged on said cabinet for sealably closing said opening having spaced inner and outer panels, the improvement comprising; a detergent dispenser adapted to be mounted on the inner panel of said door and comprising a receptacle having a lid forming one side thereof and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, biasing means for urging said lid to the open position, flexible mounting means adjacent said lid, a latch member mounted on said flexible mounting means extending in a direction perpendicular to said inner door panel having a catch for releasably restraining said lid in the closed position, means connected to said latch member being operable for releasing said catch by moving said latch member on said flexible mounting whereby said lid moves to its open position.

6. The improvement as said forth in claim 5 wherein the inner and outer panels o-fsaid door define an enlarged cavity for receiving said detergent dispenser, said dispenser comprising in addition a venting duct formed integrally therewith adjacent said receptacle having an unobstructed inlet opening into said washing compartment and extending into said cavity, an exhaust conduit connected at one end to said venting duct and at the other end to the outer panel of said d-oor thus defining an exhaust passageway from said washing compartment to atmosphere, the narrowest portion of said passageway having a predetermined cross-sectional area sufiiciently large to dissipate pressuresurges developing in said sealed washing chamber.

7. The improvement as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for releasing said catch comprises a solenoid mounted in said door having an anmature biased in one direction tending to retain said catch in the closed lid position, an operating rod connected to said armature at one end and said latch member at the other at a point spaced from said flexible mounting means, an electrical circuit associated with said domestic appliance including a timer and a switch adapted to be closed by said timer for energizing said solenoid thereby releasing said catch so that the lid moves to its open position at a preselected point or the washing cycle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,468,584 4/1949 Wotring.

2,620,811 12/1952 Walker.

2,655,165 10/1953 Low.

2,939,612 6/1960 Thompson 222-481 2,973,769 3/1961 Jacobs et a1.

3,028,051 4/1962 Jacobs 222- X 3,038,641 6/1962 Buzioky et a1 222- 129 3,064,662 11/ 1962 Given et a1.

3,092,122 6/ 1963 Guth 13495 X 3,102,664 9/ 1963 Lines 222-70 3,126,131 3/ 1964 Barbulesco et a1. 222-504 X 3,130,738 4/1964 Kays et al. 22270 X 3,160,319 12/1964 Patzelt 222-18l X M. HENSON WOOD JR., Primary Examiner.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, LOUIS J. DEMBO,

Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No a 3, 233, 782 February 8, 1966 Myron E Ullman, Jr, et a1 0 It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 3 and 4, and in the heading to the printed specification, line 6, for "a corporation of Ohio", each occurrence, read a corporation of Delaware a Signed and sealed this 28th day of November 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, J1.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

5. IN A DOMESTIC APPLIANCE HAVING A CABINET DEFINING A WASHING COMPARTMENT WITH AN EXCESS OPENING THERETO AND A DOOR HINGED ON SAID CABINET FOR SEALABLY CLOSING SAID OPENING HAVING SPACED INNER AND OUTER PANELS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING; A DETERGENT DISPENSER ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE INNER PANEL OF SAID DOOR AND COMPRISING A RECEPTACLE HAVING A LID FORMING ONE SIDE THEREOF AND PIVOTABLE BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION AND AN OPEN POSITION, BIASING MEANS FOR URGING SAID LID TO THE OPEN POSITION, FLEXIBLE MOUNTING MEANS ADJACENT SAID LID, A LATCH MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FLEXIBLE MOUNTING MEANS EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO SAID INNER DOOR PANEL HAVING A CATCH FOR RELEASABLY RESTRAINING SAID LID IN THE CLOSED POSITION, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID LATCH MEMBER BEING OPERABLE FOR RELEASING SAID CATCH BY MOVING SAID LATCH MEMBER ON SAID FLEXIBLE MOUNTING WHEREBY SAID LID MOVES TO ITS OPEN POSITION. 